The 75 best hotels in Lisbon

Situated in one of the finest spots in Lisbon, Memmo's third hotel offers an unbeatable view of the city from the sweeping terrace of their restaurant/cocktail bar. Named after the nineteenth-century Portuguese King D Pedro V, this place certainly feels fit for royalty. Guests can enjoy sleek modern design, secure parking with valet service and a free walking tour that leaves from reception daily at 5pm.

Look out over the Tagus from one of the many windows in this glass tower. The InterContinental provides the lap of luxury, with elegant decor that harks back to the Golden Age of Hollywood glamour. There are vintage Azulejo ceramic tiles along the walls, the steak tartar at their exemplary restaurant Akla is well known and there's a wine cellar too. You can access free wifi everywhere in the building, use the onsite gym and take advantage of the private parking.

In Portugal the term pousada (hostel) is usually used to mean somewhere cheap and cheerful, but that's not the case here at all. Run by the SLH group – that's Small Luxury Hotels of the World – Pousada de Lisboa offers cosmopolitan luxury with a commitment to Portuguese art. Tapestries, sculptures and paintings line the lobby, stairwells, rooms and more. It's situated in the impressive Pombaline Interior Ministry building, which sits right on the banks of the Targus, overlooking Praça do Comércio.

Given the name, you'd be right to assume that this hotel was once a palace – belonging to Marquis of Valle Flôr no less. You'd also be right in guessing that Pestana Palace is a five-star establishment that is so high-end that even Madonna has stayed here. You may well just rub shoulders with the stars if you stay here, but if not, at least you can take advantage of the spa, gym, indoor/outdoor pools and three restaurant/bars. 

This historic building was protected from alterations when renovations were being made, so much of its nineteenth-century charm remains. Naturally, this means the 25 rooms vary hugely in size, but even the smallest ones (little more than 20sqm) are decked out beautifully and have en suites (with tubs). Each room also has a different aesthetic, from neoclassical to Scandi midcentury modern. Guests can enjoy cocktails or afternoon tea in the restaurant/bar, live fado twice a week and a walled pool garden.

Formed from two old mansions built in the heart of Lisbon (on Colina Sant'Ana), Torel Palace boasts crisp rococo décor. All over are golden and florid details fit for a French monarch and, as if that weren't Instagrammable enough, you can get the most stunning views of the city from here. Torel Palace sprawls down a hill that rolls down to São Pedro de Alcântara and the Tagus beyond. Rooms here provide free wifi, minifridges, Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. There's a pool on the hillside, a gym, restaurant and bar.

Stay here for easy access to Time Out's acclaimed Mercado da Ribeira (as well as restaurants, bars and attractions). Located down a narrow street in Chiado, Martinhal is a short walk from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon's historic centre. Plus, with childcare available at the hotel, this is the perfect place for parents holidaying with young children.

The five-star Altis Avenida harks back to the sumptuous design of the 1940s. Rich gold trim and slabs of marble run throughout, with lovely modernist touches. Despite the retro glamour, you can rest assured that they have all the mod cons. Enjoy an elegant lobby bar, rooftop restaurant (Rossio) and 24-hour room service. Plus they're pet-friendly, so you can bring Fido along (so long as he's under 15kg) and they'll provide a bed and bowls

If you're looking to unwind you could do worse than staying at Corinthia. Their spa is well known for its hydrotherapy, beauty and wellness centre and panoramic gym. The hotel prides itself on providing a haven of peace and comfort. There are two restaurants to enjoy – O Típico for traditional Portuguese cuisine and Sete Colinas for international. Plus, on Fridays there's live music in the Terrace Lounge, from which you can see the entire Águas Livres Aqueduct.

Experience a day in the life of Portugal's celebrated footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo. At least that's what the Pestana Group promise with a stay at CR7. It's an odd MO, we'll grant you, but doesn't that sound like fun? Millennials will rejoice – while the older crowd marvels – at the in-room Playstations, smart TVs and yoga mats. There's a sports bar downstairs (of course), plus a foosball table in the lobby and tuk-tuk tours available.

A favourite with families and groups thanks to its spacious rooms and free parking, this ’50s is situated at Martim Moniz square. At just a few minutes' walk from the Rossio Square, you'll have easy access to great restaurants, bars and shops. Amenities at the hotel include a breakfast buffet, sushi restaurant and rooftop bar.

With a lovely location in the old Palace of the Counts of Paraty, Hotel da Estrela enjoys something many hotels in Lisbon don't: outdoor space. The gardens of this modest luxury stay are beautifully kept, with a circular pond in the centre, and made private by the surrounding trees. There are only 19 rooms here, so exclusivity is the name of the game, and the staff will make you feel just as special.

AlmaLusa is somewhat a newbie to the Lisbon hotel scene, having only opened in March 2016, but it brings a lot to the table. It's located in an eighteenth-century Pombaline building, but boasts all the mod cons. All 28 rooms offer at least a 42" HD flat-screen, a 4G smartphone, Castelbel toiletries and tea/coffee making facilities. Plus the hotel is only a street away from the Chiado, the Ribeira das Naus and the busy downtown streets.

This futuristic white cube on the waterfront is perfectly placed to explore the sights of the area. Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop are all within walking distance. But you could easily have fill a day without leaving the hotel if you're not careful. Altis Belém has a Michelin-starred restaurant, large bar, swish spa, a pool that overlooks the marina and Nespresso machines in every room.

For a room with a view, look no further than the Olissippo Lapa Palace. Each suite either faces the Tagus or the hotel's exotic gardens. But regardless of what's outdoors, the inside is also spectacular. Think nineteenth-century manor house with crystal chandeliers, marble bathrooms and polished mahogany dressers. The heated swimming pool in the gym/spa is a real treat, but there's also an outdoor pool if you'd rather bask in the sunshine.

Some believe it is the world's most beautiful boutique hotel, and we won't say otherwise. Featuring only ten suites each with living and dining rooms, a bedroom and a bathroom, the intimate mood is so valued by the staff you might feel you're at a B&B. All the better for couples in a romantic mood, and for visiting celebrities in search of some peace and quiet. For the full experience, the Bartolomeu de Gusmão suite has three floors and a spiral staircase that once led to a minaret and now is a private space overlooking old Lisbon's rooftops and the Tagus river. Despite lacking a restaurant (there are good alternatives in the vicinities), the hotel won't mind fulfilling the occasional food eccentricity – within reasonable limits.

At a time when Lisbon's hotel business turned towards smaller, more intimate boutique hotels, the SANA Group parked right next to the Amoreiras a five-star giant with a surprisingly warm and family-style customer care, as if to prove that size really doesn't matter. The 291 rooms and suites are a luxury  proposition. Their minimalist décor highlights their generous size and spaciousness, making their king-sized beds the centre of attentions. Bathrooms are also worthy of mention, with their huge showers and tubs, so large you will feel like soaking in a bath all day long and fall asleep (we're not saying that's what happened, but we're not saying it didn't either).

Graça Viterbo, one of the busiest interior decorators in the country, was tasked with turning a palace where writer Eça de Queirós once lived into a boutique hotel. Mission brilliantly accomplished: the result is there for all to see at the welcoming As Janelas Verdes, a 29-room manor where every corner has traces of the literary and artistic heritage of one of Portugal's most important novelists. There is a friendly mood to the place, perfect for lovebirds looking for the romantic side of Lisbon. The furniture is very much the same as when Eça sat at his wooden desk facing the Tagus to write “The Maias”. The armchairs, oil paintings, heavy drapes and the gorgeous stone and cast iron staircase leading to the top floor library are all original 19th century pieces.

Portuguese high society's golden age was about to come, but 1950s Lisbon was still behind its peers in terms of luxury accommodations. There were a couple of hotels with a good international reputation, but not much else. And then came the Ritz, in 1959. Its grand opening was a hot ticket, with more than two thousand guests and a French hotel's refinement in its decoration and service. The luxury remains and this five star hotel is still one of the city's most popular. “No” is a taboo word here; ask for anything and the hotel will get it for you. Designed by award-winning architect Pardal Monteiro, the building is a city landmark. 

Located in the Janelas Verdes street, near the Museum of Ancient Art, this is much more than just a hotel with a pretty facade. Every one of its nine rooms and seven suites is unique. Some of them have a view to the Tagus, the others to the inner courtyard, but all of them are faithful to its original architecture, with wooden floors, big windows and painted ceilings. The “wow” moment will come when you open the door to a suite that used to be the palace's kitchen, and gaze at an enormous fireplace. But even that might not be as wondrous as the chapel suite, with its tiled walls and king-sized bed. Ramalhete has something of a double personality: a classical side allied to a more modern perspective.

Brown's Central is everything but dull. Despite being located in the middle of Pombaline dowtown in an old building, it does not seek to impress through its link to the city's history. Instead, it breaks through the stigma of the hotel as a closed-off space to be a meeting point and an arts venue. Its bar and restaurant both have a cultural program with pop-up concerts and chats, and they are trendy gathering points for artists and prospecting gallerists. The place has an arty feel: a revivalist style recreating the café scene of the early 20th century, combining vintage furniture and contemporary artworks. The common areas have an intimate and familiar feel: walls are painted in strong colours, the floor is tiled and there is an Art Déco-inspired counter.

Designer Graça Viterbo brought an original, intimate feel to this hotel, and thus gave the city centre back a comfortable and glamorous location – a hotel the way hotels used to be in the days before multinational chains. It has a mere 20 rooms – some of them with an amazing view of downtown and the Tagus. Ironically (considering this was once the castle's kitchen) there is no restaurant in the premises, but room service works around the clock with a menu of snacks and salads, and that should do if you're in a hurry. But if you get the evening blues and your body calls for serious nourishment, go out and seek one of the many nearby restaurants – but first wait for sunset, when the inner courtyard is lit.

Myriad SANA takes the most advantage of having the Tagus by its doorstep: the hotel is literally on top of the water, so there can be no better view of the river. The view is so great you might get seasick – there are rocking chairs by the room windows. The hotel is garishly decorated in tones of red, black and white, with mirrors everywhere. The 186 rooms are a bit more low-key in terms of colours, but the River Lounge Bar is a chromatic explosion. It has a Portuguese menu with a twist; in summer nights, enjoy going over it slowly on the outdoors tables overlooking the Tagus.The hotel's top floor is 143 metres high and holds the Sayana Wellness Spa, with an indoors panoramic pool, a gym, a hammam, a jacuzzi and a floatarium where you can experience zero gravity.

HF Fénix Music is not just a music-tribute hotel, it's a whole sensory experience. All 109 rooms have a theme, from rock to pop to classical music to fado, and every one is equipped with all you need to create you own private disco: Bluetooth sound systems, Internet access touchscreens and even dynamic, disco-style lighting. Music is everywhere: the front desk is drum set-shaped, the bar resembles a piano keyboard. On top of the building you will find a small oasis that will make you forget you're in the centre of Lisbon: a lounge terrace with a swimming pool and a bar with a broad view of the castle. The restaurant serves breakfast only – such a great establishment could do more. At the bar you can chat and have beer either at the counter or on the couch, everything lit as if on a dance floor.

Its 66 rooms are not particularly large but they are comfortable and surprisingly well lit, considering how narrow its windows are. The pillow menu is a charming little touch to make up for the diminutive size of the rooms. The hotel comes with two other fine surprises: the Lounge Bar with its relaxed feel, for sipping cocktails; and the Tapas & Friends restaurant, whose purpose is quite clear – unpretentious Portuguese and Spanish snacks for sharing at lunch and dinnertime in the prettiest room of the hotel, a marble-arched hall whose huge windows face the street. Breakfast will prove the theory that you can eat with your eyes. The buffet has a little bit of everything you might crave in the mornings.

The 94 rooms have no theme but they come in different colours. The layouts are all similar, featuring fluffy, soft beds that ensure a good night's sleep. Common areas are surprisingly tasteful, with a look mixing vintage and classic designs. The bar is a good example of the hotel's neat aesthetic, with its dark rattan chairs, Portuguese “calçada” pavement, marble walls and long sofas. Just in case you are in the mood for taking a vacation from your vacation and spend a day in the hotel doing nothing, rooms have free wi-fi and sports channels. There is a babysitting service, for which reservations are required. There is no restaurant; the only meal served is breakfast; eat and move on.

For months on end – maybe even years – locals waited for the scaffolding to come down at the Saldanha square; but nothing prepared them for a new building supported by a giant stone hand. Yes, the Evolution Lisboa Hotel is held up by a sculpted hand. The name suggest a futuristic vision, but you couldn't guess what was inside. The hotel is conceived for independent guests or impatient people who can't stand waiting. It goes beyond being an original hotel, it's more of an optimized version of an hotel, where everything is managed in an efficient, quick and informal way. If you're travelling alone, it's paradise: wi-fi, USB chargers and electric sockets are everywhere, so you can stay permanently plugged in. Rooms are modern, spacious and comfortable, including a sitting area, a desk and a view of the city.

The hotel couldn't decide between being charming or beautiful, so it decided to be both (beautiful + boutique = beautique). Nini Andrade da Silva is behind its brave and completely outside-the-box concept. The 50 rooms pay tribute to nature in panels with leaves, figs or tree bark, but green is all over. The hotel layout went against the grain and put the spa on its top floor, disregarding the obvious move – an open-air rooftop bar. But there are plenty of rooftops in Lisbon; a panoramic spa is more unusual and valuable.

Hotel Alegria (“joy”) is one of those timeless classics guaranteed never to go out of style. Its decoration successfully meshes  the young and the new, with vintage restored furniture next to design pieces. Everything is rather classic, but there are some bold dashes of colour (for instance, in the same room you will find a blue sofa right in front of a pink one) that will make you smile and nod in agreement. Joy, right? Hotel Alegria might as well be an early 20th century bourgeois family manor, a home full of happy people with a contagious joie de vivre.   The hotel is not particularly big but its 30 rooms are all quite spacious and well designed to take maximum advantage of the available sunlight. That extra space in the rooms conquered at the expense of common areas: there is just a breakfast room (no restaurant at the hotel) and the bar, whose cocktail menu is worth looking into.

The Olissipo Castelo is unique for several reasons, particularly its view of Lisbon. It has 12 classic and comfortable rooms, in need of a technological upgrade – the old TV sets almost feel like visual pollution. The suites have a living room and a 50sq/m terrace; all of them offer the same panorama. The staff is friendly and helpful in suggesting restaurants or alternative cultural events to their guests. They are always willing to share the city's most precious secrets for the greater good of their guests' enjoyment. There is no restaurant at the hotel due to the insane amount of dining spots between Alfama and Mouraria – practically one every other door. The hotel serves breakfast and there's a bar and room service, but these are little more than sandwiches.